CASA RAY & CASA TATIANA ORPHANAGES
BRIEF HISTORY OF THE ORPHANAGES
Casa Ray Orphanage was born in the year 2000
An American team and a Romanian family joined forces to purchase a piece of land in Dobreni, Romania with the purpose of constructing an orphanage, aiming to provide a nurturing and supportive environment for orphaned children. The initiative garnered support from a diverse range of countries, reflecting the widespread interest and backing for the noble cause. The Gavril family, in collaboration with dedicated teams, successfully realized their vision and officially inaugurated Casa Ray in 2002. Over time, the organization obtained charitable status, further solidifying its commitment to its philanthropic mission.
Initially, Casa Ray welcomed 10 children into its care in 2002, and since then, it has expanded its capacity and reach, now providing a home for an average of 21 children. The orphanage caters to children between the ages of 7 and 18, offering not just shelter and care, but also educational and emotional support, aiming to equip the children with the necessary tools to thrive and succeed in life. This heartwarming endeavor stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and compassion in transforming the lives of those in need.
Many of Casa Ray’s children had suffered a great deal before they come there. But as they were fed, clothed, educated and loved they grew to treasure their unique home. Ask any child if Casa Ray is his home, and if they want to stay, they will say with great enthusiasm, “Yeah! Of course!”
In 2023 a second house opened at same location to comply with new Romanian regulations regarding the limit of the number of children that can reside at one orphanage. The children were split among the two homes. The second home was named in memory of Tatiana who was the first mother to the orphanage.
For over 20 years, Greg and Anne Heisey have lived out James's verse to take care of the orphans. With God's help they continued Reach Ministries to this day.
Reach Ministries’ preferred outcomes for the children at Casa Ray:
- That their physical needs are met.
- That they are loved like a son or daughter.
- That their emotional needs are met.
- That they are taught to love God and become a follower of Jesus.
- That they complete the education level to which they aspire. We now have graduated several from college and have some who are nurses.
- That they have a strong work ethic and expect to be self-sufficient.
- That they respect the laws of God and Romania and become good citizens of their country.
VOLUNTEER & SERVE
If you go to Casa Ray and stay for more than a few days, you will see young families come in the evenings and sit and enjoy conversations with the staff. These are former Casa Ray kids who stopped by to visit the Gavrils and the children.
The Gavrils, Matei and Madalina along with Tata Mihai and employees staff the orphanage and are key in raising responsible, loving children. They have devoted the last two decades or so to doing God's work.
